Most Commonly Used and Unsafe PIN Numbers Revealed: Is Yours on the List?

When it comes to protecting your personal and financial information, your PIN number is one of the first lines of defense. However, many people unknowingly put themselves at risk by using easy-to-guess PINs. A recent study has revealed the most commonly used PIN numbers, and you might be surprised—or not—by what's on the list.

The Danger of Common PIN Numbers

Using a simple or predictable PIN number can significantly increase your risk of being a victim of fraud. In 2022 alone, £556.3 million was lost to credit, debit, and other payment card fraud in the UK. The average account loss was £204, a hefty sum that could be avoided with better security practices.

The Most Commonly Used PIN Numbers

Data website Information is Beautiful analyzed 3.4 million data points from various data breaches to identify the most and least common PIN numbers. Here are the top ten most frequently used:

1. 1234

2. 1111

3. 0000

4. 1212

5. 7777

6. 1004

7. 2000

8. 4444

9. 2222

10. 6969

If your PIN is on this list, it's time to change it immediately. These numbers are the first ones hackers will try, making them extremely risky.

The Least Common PIN Numbers

On the flip side, here are the ten least commonly used PIN numbers:

1. 8557

2. 8438

3. 9539

4. 7063

5. 6827

6. 0859

7. 6793

8. 0738

9. 6835

10. 8093

Choosing a PIN from this list or creating a similarly complex number can significantly improve your security.

Why Weak PINs Are a Problem

Jake Moore, a global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, emphasizes the risks of using weak or easily guessable PINs. "By using simple or easy-to-guess passcodes, it enables attackers to target people more easily," Moore explains. Many people use PINs related to their personal information, such as birthdays, which are easy for attackers to guess.

Tips for Better Security

To protect yourself, consider these tips:

Use Complex PINs: Avoid simple sequences or repetitive numbers.

Change Regularly: Update your PINs periodically to reduce the risk of being compromised.

Use Password Managers: These tools can generate and store complex passwords and PINs for you, reducing the need to remember them.

Password Hygiene: More Important Than Ever

The issue of weak security extends beyond PINs. NordPass, a password management company, highlighted in 2021 that many people still use incredibly weak passwords. Their top 25 list of worst passwords includes:

1. 123456

2. 123456789

3. 12345

4. qwerty

5. password

6. 12345678

7. 111111

8. 123123

9. 1234567890

10. 1234567

Using passwords like these makes your accounts easy targets for hackers.

You can view the full list here.

Conclusion

In today's digital age, maintaining strong PINs and passwords is crucial. With fraud and cybercrime on the rise, taking steps to secure your information can save you from significant financial loss and stress. Avoid common PINs, use complex combinations, and consider using password managers to help keep your digital life secure.

Is your PIN or password on the list of commonly used ones? If so, it's time to make a change and protect your personal and financial information better. Stay safe online!